It’s a Fools job
OLIVEDALE – A world of imaginative wonder awaits you at the Bookshop based at the Olivedale Library.
Described as a treasure trove of absolute wonder, the Bookshop, which is based at the Olivedale Library, is arguably the best place for avid readers to find gems of literature to purchase.
Previously known as the Book Room, it has been running for the past 12 years and many have came to know it as a place of mediation and not a place for selling books. There are various genres for both children and adults to enjoy. The best part is that most of these books are still in good condition and they range from about R5 to R50. All the money made from the Bookshop goes to the library.
Mark Doyle, chairperson of the group that runs the bookshop Friends of Olivedale Library (Fools), said he has been part of the group for the past two years and explained the shop gets minimal support from the municipality to buy books. He is a great lover of Shakespeare’s work and would consider himself somewhat of Shakespeare buff. “I have done various university short courses on his work, but then I read Bill Bryson’s Shakespeare and it just tells you everything. It leaves little room for studying and explains everything about Shakespeare,” said Doyle.
For him it’s more about enjoying the works of his favourite writer rather than trying to dissect it.
Vice-chairperson, David Grant shared the books they receive are hand-me-downs, throwaways and discards to resell in order to get funds to buy books for the library. He pegs himself as a book nut, or as he jokingly put it, a book fool. When asked what has been his favourite book to read he simply said, “I have no idea, there was no book in particular one just enjoys all sorts of books.”
He is most fascinated by science books though. Grant explained that places like these are important for the community as they help keep the library running. “The books they find here are books they could have otherwise never been introduced to.”
Fellow member of Fools, Cynthia McKenzie said some books go back a long way as they are classics. “There is such a variety of books here that everybody could find something that would interest them.”
She explained that the library has first preference to all donated books, “The librarians will then go through the books and pick the ones they need and the rest will come to us.”
McKenzie added that donations come from various people within the community. Having only been a part of the Fools for about three years now, she loves the positive impact the bookshop has on the community.
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